Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo will undergo surgery on Monday to repair a ruptured tendon in his left knee, ending his 18-year NBA career.

An MRI performed Wednesday afternoon revealed the extent of the damage, but Mutombo said after the game, "For me, Basketball is over."

Mutombo, the four-time Defensive Player of the Year, will retire second to Hakeem Olajuwon in career blocked shots. He has received many awards for his humanitarian efforts.

Almost doesn't count

On a night in which so much went wrong, the Rockets were very much in the game heading into the final four minutes.

Yao Ming was limited by the Blazers' defense and foul trouble. Mutombo went out in the first quarter with a knee injury. Brandon Roy gave the Blazers a career night. Still, the game was up for grabs until a late 7-0 Portland run.

The Rockets, however, took no comfort in nearly winning despite their difficulties.

"I don't take any solace in that at all," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "This is a game you're trying to win. We were there, but we're going to have to play better if we're going to beat them. That's the bottom line."

Holding court

With the series shifting to Toyota Center, the Rockets return home where they have had a decided advantage against the Blazers. The Rockets have won their past four meetings and 10 of 11 against Portland in Houston. - JONATHAN FEIGENSeries tied 1-1